Monte Open - a great smoke!

[Colt45]

I'm always rather surprised by how many seem to have such vitriol for this guy.

And rather amused in that it seems that the people who make fun of him,

complain about him - always seem to know what he has to say......

[Tampa1257]

Dear "Red Pig",

Please confirm that was in fact a cigar in your hand while you were leaving that establishment!

Thanks,

The Management

[PigFish]

Dear "Red Pig",

Please confirm that was in fact a cigar in your hand while you were leaving that establishment!

Thanks,

The Management

Whoa there Amigo! You have got me confused with another "member." -LOL I guess that I should not make assumptions and when you are talking of handling your "gun" you mean something other than firearms!!!

Can I get some Mod help here please, this "snake" is getting outta' hand!!! ! Oh... ****... forget that request! -Piggy

[thechenman]

I'm always rather surprised by how many seem to have such vitriol for this guy.

And rather amused in that it seems that the people who make fun of him,

complain about him - always seem to know what he has to say......

I don't think that is a fair assessment Colt. I disagree with many of Suckling's opinions and his ratings in CA, but that does not mean I don't pick up CA to see what is going on in the industry. I disagree with the current Administration on many fronts, but I am well aware of what Obama is saying and doing. I'm opposed to the shenangans of Frank and Dodd and despise politicians in general, but I still read what they write and listen to what they have to say. Or maybe people just need a good laugh every now and then, and know where to go to find it...

[PigFish]

I don't think that is a fair assessment Colt. I disagree with many of Suckling's opinions and his ratings in CA, but that does not mean I don't pick up CA to see what is going on in the industry. I disagree with the current Administration on many fronts, but I am well aware of what Obama is saying and doing. I'm opposed to the shenangans of Frank and Dodd and despise politicians in general, but I still read what they write and listen to what they have to say. Or maybe people just need a good laugh every now and then, and know where to go to find it...

An interesting turn. What chaos is caused by a cigar critic... a wet cap gun. Frank and Dodd... Well if global warming was real these guys would manifest it incarnate! - the Red, White and Blue Pig

[Colt45]

I don't think that is a fair assessment Colt. I disagree with many of Suckling's opinions and his ratings in CA, but that does not mean I don't pick up CA to see what is going on in the industry. I disagree with the current Administration on many fronts, but I am well aware of what Obama is saying and doing.

I think there's a big difference - CA doesn't make political policy decisions that effect the country and perhaps the world. I would not even go

so far as to call it an industry magazine - I feel it entertainment, and by their own admission (on every cover) it's the good life magazine for men.

I liken it to a television show I might not care for - change the channel - don't keep watching just to piss and moan about it. Again, I often get

the simple impression that some take joy in crapping on the guy. I guess I just don't understand it - especially here.

For what it's worth, I occasionally buy the magazine, and read his blogs irregularly. I don't always agree with his reviews, have found some things

way off base, and even some to be irresponsible - but I wouldn't want to keel haul him for any of it.

[PigFish]

I think there's a big difference - CA doesn't make political policy decisions that effect the country and perhaps the world. I would not even go

so far as to call it an industry magazine - I feel it entertainment, and by their own admission (on every cover) it's the good life magazine for men.

I liken it to a television show I might not care for - change the channel - don't keep watching just to piss and moan about it. Again, I often get

the simple impression that some take joy in crapping on the guy. I guess I just don't understand it - especially here.

For what it's worth, I occasionally buy the magazine, and read his blogs irregularly. I don't always agree with his reviews, have found some things

way off base, and even some to be irresponsible - but I wouldn't want to keel haul him for any of it.

To your point Colt. You do have an opinion don't you? Is his opinion aligned with yours or different. I have often said you take the high road, but have you ever read his opinion and just said, "This guy is full of ****?"

Anyone who soapboxes publicly is prone to be criticized. You, me, him... everyone! There are people here who will agree with me, disagree with me and certainly those who think I am full of ****. It is okay! I think some people here, there and everywhere are right, wrong and full of ****! Full of **** happens!!!

Mr. Suckling makes his living as a critic and a writer of opinion. It does not make him a bad person but his role elicits criticism. My position is not one of criticizing the man for his work. I am criticizing his apparent honesty. I don't believe that his published opinions are honest. I can't prove it. I have simply read enough of his opinions to lead me to that end. Someone who lies about something for the sake of selling it is a mountebank. Such people are not held in a high position by me.

Now come on. When you leaf through the pages of CA and see the 6 page XYZ cigar spread, and next month you notice that it gets top billing are you not just a little suspect? There were the days when I would look at their reviews as guide to find new cigars with promise. Guess what? I would stack them up with my growing CC stash and always find them inferior. I would try again to find new competition for my CC's next month. Same result. Eventually you have got to say never again, someone is pullin' my chain. Well that time has come for me and apparently some others here.

All differences aside I believe the people here opine from the heart and that includes our vendor host. I don't hold Mr. Suckling on the same level. I believe his words are shaped for the audience and for the job at hand. -P

[Van55]

I wish I could remember for sure who it was who coined the phrase and passed it on to me. It may have been my accountant years ago. In any event, it applies perfectly to Mr. Suckling, in my humble opinion: "Arrogant without cause."

[mash]

I wish I could remember for sure who it was who coined the phrase and passed it on to me. It may have been my accountant years ago. In any event, it applies perfectly to Mr. Suckling, in my humble opinion: "Arrogant without cause."

Or, "he's a humble man, and he has a lot to be humble about".

[Ken Gargett]

guys, understand the thoughts but, as we say in australia, play the ball, not the man.

[Colt45]

Piggy, as I mentioned previously, I am not a regular reader of the magazine or website. In all honesty, when I do buy the mag, it's for the

articles - usually starting with the cover story. I usually enjoy the cigar related articles as well, but rarely give more than a passing scan to

the cigar ratings section. When I spend any time there, it's usually just to try and keep up with new producers / cigars - nearly impossible!

I agree that the writer in question is, to a degree, a public figure which I suppose makes him an easy target. I can also agree that anybody in

such a position can and probably should be held accountable for what they write in this public capacity. But I think it can be done without

getting personal about it. And yes, he's published things that to be frank, I've thought asinine - but I just don't feel he has the sway which

would get may back up.

And I've no doubt that they probably keep advertisers in mind when writing articles. But I also think that any magazine which accepts advertising

dollars and reviews advertiser's products could also be considered suspect - I can't ever recall reading a truly scathing article on a new car in an

auto mag, for instance.

So what does any of my gibberish mean? Nothing really - just conversation. Others have met him in person and have their opinions - they are

surely entitled and I do not disbelieve any of them. I guess for lack of a better way to put it, our criticism could be more constructive - I haven't

read too many Montecristo Open reviews here.......

[mash]

guys, understand the thoughts but, as we say in australia, play the ball, not the man.

Interesting Ken. In Canada, we say take the man not the puck. Anyway, point well taken.

On another note, in this edition of the CA Cigar Insider, they blind tested a Gran Reserva and a Sig VI Tubo. The GR scored a 92, the Sig VI a 91. How many of those 5000 boxes you reckon are still up for grabs?

[El Presidente]

As I have said before I like James. I know James. We are not close mates but we have caught up for lunches and drinks. What ii like is the fact that he treats mutual Cuban friends (who are not HSA Honchos) in an exemplary style. No bullshit, no heirs no graces.

Now I question the CA rating manner/system (smoke 1st inch) but who hasn't questioned it? I may also question James opinion on vrious cigars but haven't we just run 50+ post thread on "Cigar Nemises" where one persons honey is another persons poison? Do I question Dizzy for his displeasure at D4's or Shrink for his opinion of Magnum 46? Of course not. It goes without saying they have no idea

As for their recent Cohiba Gran Reserva taste off I would be interested to see they year of the Siglo VI. i would suspect it was an 08 as they have been consistently 90 point cigars. In relation to the Gran reserva, they were boxed July 09 from memory. Dispatch would have been September earliest. Anyone trying them before March 2010 is setting themselves up for disappointment.

[Van55]

haven't we just run 50+ post thread on "Cigar Nemises" where one persons honey is another persons poison?

Yes we have. And I expect that taste in people is a bit like taste in cigars.

I don't know Mr. Suckling, but he strikes me, from what I have seen on video and what I have read on his blog, as a poser and a shill for Habanos s.a. You, Rob, could never be accused of either of those things.

[El Presidente]

Yes we have. And I expect that taste in people is a bit like taste in cigars.

I don't know Mr. Suckling, but he strikes me, from what I have seen on video and what I have read on his blog, as a poser and a shill for Habanos s.a. You, Rob, could never be accused of either of those things.

Fair point Van. You guys are more exposed to CA than we are and I am not a reader of James's blog, video's or articles for no other reason than I just don't have time. Still, I found him one on one and in a small group of friends to be entertaining, articulate and passionate. Outside of a love of cigars I doubt we have too much in common but it would be a bloody boring place if we all thought and acted the same.

[mash]

As I have said before I like James. I know James. We are not close mates but we have caught up for lunches and drinks. What ii like is the fact that he treats mutual Cuban friends (who are not HSA Honchos) in an exemplary style. No bullshit, no heirs no graces.

Now I question the CA rating manner/system (smoke 1st inch) but who hasn't questioned it? I may also question James opinion on vrious cigars but haven't we just run 50+ post thread on "Cigar Nemises" where one persons honey is another persons poison? Do I question Dizzy for his displeasure at D4's or Shrink for his opinion of Magnum 46? Of course not. It goes without saying they have no idea

As for their recent Cohiba Gran Reserva taste off I would be interested to see they year of the Siglo VI. i would suspect it was an 08 as they have been consistently 90 point cigars. In relation to the Gran reserva, they were boxed July 09 from memory. Dispatch would have been September earliest. Anyone trying them before March 2010 is setting themselves up for disappointment.

Obviously this has gone off topic. I'm sure you're right about the freshness of the GR Rob. The reason I am interested in this ranking is because JS's 100 point score initially I'm sure caused a big spike in demand for this cigar. He has considerable influence I would imagine amongst cigar buyers. Now, with the 92, I'm wondering (and hoping) that things may cool a little, and the price will come out of the stratosphere.

Your comment about being disappointed highlights this, how often would we feel this way about a new cigar that scores a 92?

[El Presidente]

Obviously this has gone off topic. I'm sure you're right about the freshness of the GR Rob. The reason I am interested in this ranking is because JS's 100 point score initially I'm sure caused a big spike in demand for this cigar. He has considerable influence I would imagine amongst cigar buyers. Now, with the 92, I'm wondering (and hoping) that things may cool a little, and the price will come out of the stratosphere.

Your comment about being disappointed highlights this, how often would we feel this way about a new cigar that scores a 92?

smithy and I rateded it a 98 so James was pretty much spot on. AGAIN, apples and oranges. The Habanos Festival Gran Reservas had been rolled for six months. We tried ours in May (90 days travel rest). I have no intent of trying the current Gran Reserva until March 2010 so that way we will be able to have a more accurate comparison (roughly same rest time).

[Kangaroo495]

Author: Guess who

Guys, I never actually confirmed that it was Suckling who wrote the article. Geez you guys overreact sometimes!

[samb]

Guess who

has a new video up? I watched it and I think its pretty cool to see someone in Cuba... Id much much prefer a cuba video featuring the Czar gang though.